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Curriculum

Curriculum

Promote a life-long love of learning with engaging, inquiry-based instructional materials designed by leading educators at UC Berkeley. Each program provides ongoing support and education in the use of these innovative materials and methods.

At least 1 in 5 students nationwide uses curriculum materials from the Hall in their school careers.

Guide students in an exploration of the natural world as they actively construct inquiries, investigations, and analyses. This K-8 system is also an ongoing research project dedicated to improving the learning and teaching of science.

A brand new, research-driven, digitally enhanced core curriculum for Grades K-8 that comprehensively addresses the vision described in the NRC Framework for K-12 Science Education, including the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards.

Engage your students in issue-oriented science, the application of scientific methods to evaluate societal problems—like reducing landfill or avoiding food poisoning. Students learn the value of evidence-based problem solving while drawing connections between science and everyday life.

We are pleased to be able to offer AfterSchool KidzScience kits that address a variety of topics in earth and space, forensics, physical, life, and “green” science. Each kit includes four approximately 45-minute sessions.

An outdoor program that offers young people fun and challenging opportunities to investigate ecological relationships in their local environment. The 97 OBIS activities, which take youngsters outdoors to investigate biology and to increase their environmental awareness, can be used together or individually.

An integrated, interdisciplinary course for high school includes twelve student books, teacher guides, and Digital Earth Watch (DEW) software. The course deals with societal issues that require science for full understanding. The books may be sequenced in a custom, one-year integrated science course or serve as supplementary materials for existing high school biology, physics, chemistry, earth science, or social studies courses.

Enables middle school and high school students and teachers to investigate the universe while applying tools and concepts from science, mathematics, and technology. Using the Internet, HOU participants around the world request observations from an automated telescope, download images from a large image archive, and analyze them with the aid of user-friendly image processing software.

Explore marine environments through several lenses: science, language arts, music, mathematics, and visual arts. This inquiry-based marine immersion program transforms an elementary or middle school into an interdisciplinary laboratory for the exploration of the ocean.

FOSS®

We believe that the best way to learn science is to do science. FOSS® is a K–8 hands-on science curriculum created here at the Lawrence Hall of Science with support from the National Science Foundation.

Curriculum

FOSS® developers are dedicated to the proposition that all students learn science best by doing science. FOSS® investigations provide in-depth exposure to subject matter while guaranteeing that the cognitive demands placed on students are appropriate to their cognitive abilities.

The FOSS® national program (2005 edition) includes 35 modules and/or courses organized under four strands:

Professional Development

Over half the students in California are being served by FOSS®. FOSS® is used in all settings including urban, rural, and diverse economies. Amid this diversity, many commonalities are being found amongst the teachers serving these students—dedication to children, commitment to quality science education, and enthusiasm for FOSS®.

A cadre of highly qualified consultants, trained by the FOSS® staff, is providing professional development for teachers. Different types and levels of workshops are offered, including:

module implementation

notebooking

materials management

teacher leadership

assessment

Professional development is customized based on the needs of each district.This program was developed for grades K–8.

Engage students with activities that teach essential mathematics and science concepts:

GEMS® Ocean Curriculum Sequences—Extended units with a focus on a specific, high-interest topic, addressing a wide-range of standards-based science concepts.

GEMS® Professional Development Worksops—GEMS® also offers specialized workshops, and maintains an international support network.

Each of these programs, as well as the network and workshop activities, is described below:

GEMS® Teacher’s Guides

GEMS® Teacher’s Guides provide teachers of grades PreK thru 8 with flexible, affordable, stand-alone units that can be used as enhancements for an existing curriculum, or, by combining units, provide a series that delivers comprehensive coverage of a topic. The units feature inquiry-driven activities that engage and excite the interest of students. With over two million books in print the GEMS® program is a recognized leader in standards-driven, inquiry-based science and mathematics education.

GEMS® Professional Development

GEMS® provides professional development sessions and has also built a substantial base of regional leadership through a national network of GEMS® Centers and Network Sites, closely affiliated with the GEMS® Project,

HOU™

Hands-On Universe™ (HOU) is an educational program that enables middle school and high school students and teachers to investigate the universe while applying tools and concepts from science, mathematics, and technology. The Hall is an educational center for the HOU project.

Curriculum

Using the Internet, HOU participants around the world request astronomical observations from automated remote observatories, download images from image archives, and analyze them with user-friendly image processing software. This program was developed for grades 6–12, but is also applied in informal education settings.

Professional Development

HOU professional development gives teachers the skills they need to access internet-based telescopes and use astronomical image processing software to weave HOU elements into existing high school physics, earth science, or math courses. An interactive teacher course resides on the HOU website. Customized teacher workshops can be designed for implementation of HOU at a single school, whole school district, or for determining best strategies for addressing science standards requirements.

MARE™

Transform your elementary or middle school into an ocean-studies laboratory. This interdisciplinary curriculum teaches earth, physical, and life sciences as well as language arts, music, math, and art—all in the context of marine environments.

Curriculum

MARE is a whole-school, inquiry-based curriculum for grades K-8. The curriculum focuses each grade on a different ocean habitat, exploring standards-based life, earth, and physical science concepts, as well as language arts and visual art. Each unit represents four to six weeks of ocean sciences instruction. The units build from year to year so that students acquire an ever deeper understanding of the principles of ocean literacy. Over 600 whole schools nationwide use the MARE curriculum.

Professional Development

MARE offers challenging, year-round professional development opportunities, including instruction focused on integration of science and literacy, especially for English language learners.

The program offers:

a Summer Leadership Institute;

all-faculty inservices;

grade-level inservices;

demonstration teaching;

parent workshops;

and ongoing, site-based support.

Each school highlights its yearlong program by celebrating an Ocean Week or Month during which guest speakers visit, classes are taken on field trips, students work on special projects, and teachers receive in-class coaching.

Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading®

This innovative elementary curriculum teaches science and literacy at the same time—and deepens student learning in both. Using a “Do-it, Talk-it, Read-it, Write-it” approach, multiple learning modalities draw on powerful synergies between the two domains of science and literacy.

Curriculum

The curriculum series for grades 2–5 features original, content-rich student science books that support students’ firsthand inquiry. Classrooms using Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading® experience increased student achievement in both literacy and science for a range of diverse students, including English language learners.

Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading® allows schools to make better use of limited time by enabling them to teach science and literacy together. It can be used during science, literacy, or as supplementary instruction. The curriculum is informed by research, verified by rigorous evaluations, and field-tested in classrooms around the country. Research to measure the effectiveness of the Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading® approach has found what teachers have long suspected—that students who learn science and literacy in an integrated fashion make significantly greater gains in both science and literacy learning.

Professional Development

Professional development for Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading® provides teachers with a fundamental understanding of the features of the curriculum and the benefits of integrating science and literacy instruction. Sessions are presented by Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading® authors and professional staff developers. The pedagogical principles behind the "Do-it, Talk-it, Read-it, Write-it" approach are explored, and the synergies between literacy and science instruction discussed in depth.

Participants examine the educative features of the Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading® teacher guides, and learn how standards-based science concepts and abilities are highlighted in both science inquiry and literacy development activities. A portion of the time is devoted to examining how the program addresses the unique needs of ELL students.

The integrated assessment system is reviewed as are the roles of both formative and summative assessments. These sessions vary in focus and depth based on the audience and available time; sessions can be customized to address specific customer needs.

The Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading® curriculum can be purchased from Amplify.

Curriculum

SEPUP designs issue-oriented units and courses for secondary science classrooms. SEPUP curriculum materials teach standards-based science content in the context of personal and societal issues. These issues range from personal medical issues such as whether to be tested for a genetic disease, to societal issues such as sustainable use of resources.

SEPUP curricula are based on a guided-inquiry approach and promote the use of scientific principles, processes, and evidence in public decision making. SEPUP materials are extensively tested in local and national centers to ensure that they are effective with diverse groups of students in a variety of settings.

The SEPUP approach also enhances the role of teachers as facilitators of student learning and as educational leaders within their communities by having them share in the development, implementation, and assessment of issue-oriented science materials and programs.

Professional Development

SEPUP professional development workshops focus on implementation of SEPUP instructional materials and/or the use of classroom approaches that integrate science content standards with personal and societal issues, such as those expressed in the National Science Education Standards. Workshops include inquiry-based approaches to science and socioscientific issues, and may also include the use of embedded, authentic assessments of student learning. Find out about upcoming professional development opportunities.

ASKS™

Curriculum

The Lawrence Hall of Science (the Hall) develops AfterSchool KidzScience kits in close collaboration with the Center for the Collaborative Classroom (formerly Developmental Studies Center). This unique partnership brings together the deep expertise of the Hall in effective, inquiry-based science education and the broad experience of the Center for the Collaborative Classroom in developing and publishing afterschool and in-school programs that promote children’s academic, ethical, and social development. AfterSchool KidzScience kits are specifically designed for use in out-of-school settings by children in grades 3–5.

We are pleased to be able to offer AfterSchool KidzScience kits that address a variety of topics in physical, life, “green” science, forensics, and earth and space science. Each kit includes four approximately 45-minute sessions. The four sessions in each kit build upon each other but stand alone to accommodate flexible attendance. Leaders need minimal time for preparation and cleanup and don’t need a background in science. The activities are engaging and easy to lead, excite children about science, build science knowledge and inquiry abilities, and help children learn important cooperation and teamwork skills.

Professional Development

We are happy to offer short online support videos and in-person workshops.

AfterSchool KidzScience video clips help show leaders how to engage children in the activities with less stress, more fun, and deeper understanding. These video clips are available on a DVD that comes with kits, and are available for free online.

AfterSchool KidzScience workshops introduce out-of-school leaders to the use of AfterSchool KidzScience kits. Special attention will be paid to techniques for fostering an inventive, creative, and safe approach to science after school. Please check back for dates and details.

Amplify Science™

Amplify Science is a brand new, research-driven, digitally enhanced curriculum for Grades K–8 that comprehensively addresses the vision described in the NRC Framework for K–12 Science Education, including the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards.

Students inhabit the role of scientists and engineers throughout each unit. Through rich, multi-modal experiences and authentic problem-solving, Amplify Science will help teachers develop the next generation of students to be critical scientists and thoughtful citizens.

OBIS™

Outdoor Biology Instructional Strategies (OBIS) was developed in the 1970s at the Lawrence Hall of Science to help adults (teachers, parents, community leaders) take young people outdoors to experience ecological principles in their local area. These simple experiences then act as a gateway for children and adults to explore and understand their local environment.

Curriculum

The 97 OBIS activities, which increase environmental awareness, can be used individually or in combination. Though originally designed for 10-15 year-olds (grades 5-8), both younger and older participants, including adults, enjoy participating in OBIS activities. Community groups – museums, nature centers, scouts, church groups, parks and recreation – use OBIS in a wide variety of programs, while schools use OBIS to supplement classroom curriculum and promote environmental awareness. Group size can vary tremendously. Optimal group size and time requirements vary with the activity and are suggested in the OBIS activity folios.

OBIS encourages discovery by learners. OBIS assumes that exploration and inquiry are the best approaches for outdoor learning. OBIS activities effectively turn the outdoors into a laboratory where youngsters can gain a better understanding of the biological world through their own experiences.

GSS™

Global Systems Science (GSS) is an interdisciplinary, integrated course for high school students, created by the Lawrence Hall of Science at University of California, Berkeley. The course emphasizes how scientists from a wide variety of fields work together to understand significant problems of global impact.

Curriculum

In GSS, the "big ideas" of science are stressed, such as the concept of an interacting system, the coevolution of the atmosphere and life, the goal of a sustainable world, and the important role that individuals play in both impacting and protecting our vulnerable global environment. GSS was developed by a collaborative team of teachers, scientists, and curriculum developers, so that it reflects both the cutting edge of modern interdisciplinary science, and the practical realities of the classroom.

The instructional materials for Global Systems Science consist of twelve Student Books and Teacher's Guides. Each focuses on a different aspect of global environmental change. GSS involves students actively in learning. They perform investigations and experiments in the classroom and at home. They read and discuss historical background materials. They "meet" a selection of scientists, both men and women, from a variety of ethnic and educational backgrounds. They consider the economic, political, and ethical issues associated with each problem area.

Collectively, the GSS books constitute a unique combination of studies in the natural and social sciences through which high school students may view the global environmental issues that they will confront within their lifetimes. One of our key goals is for students to make intelligent, informed decisions that can translate into personal actions, such as conserving energy, recycling, and preparing for their role as voting citizens in a modern industrialized society.

The GSS system can reduce school textbook costs by an order of magnitude for schools where a significant number of students are ready to use e-textbooks in place of the hard copy books.

Professional Development

Professional development sessions are available on topics including how to sequence GSS materials in a custom, one-year integrated science course or how to use individual GSS elements as supplementary materials for existing high school biology, physics, chemistry, Earth science, or social studies courses.

Teacher-guide documents are available online at the GSS website to serve as an online professional-development resource. Customized professional development workshops can be designed for specific needs, such as implementation of GSS at a single school, implementation in a whole school district, or best strategies for addressing science standards requirements.